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Billing code

Z571A — Excision of first polyp (3 mm to 5 mm)

First polyp removal, 3–5 mm

Bill for colonoscopic excision of the first polyp measuring 3 to 5 mm, with the colonoscopy base code.

Watch for: Polyps under 3 mm aren't payable, and if a larger polyp was removed bill that size's code instead.

Code

Z571A

Description

Excision of first polyp (3 mm to 5 mm)

FHO+ basket

Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).

Effective date

Apr 1, 2026

Termination date

No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Colonoscopic excision of a first polyp 3 mm to 5 mm. Polyps under 3 mm aren't payable; one first-polyp code per day.

What it covers

Z571 is excision of the first polyp, 3 mm to 5 mm, through the colonoscope. It is billed with the colonoscopy base code for the indication (S16, S17, S19).

Additional 3 to 5 mm polyps are E720. If any polyp removed is larger, bill the first-polyp code for that size instead: Z518 (6 to 9 mm), Z517 (10 to 19 mm) or Z516 (20 to 29 mm) (S19).

Billing rules

• Use Z571 only when the largest polyp excised is 3 mm to 5 mm; only one of Z571, Z518, Z517 or Z516 is payable per patient per day; use the code for the largest polyp excised (S19).
• Excision of polyps under 3 mm isn't payable, so a colonoscopy where only polyps under 3 mm are removed gets no polyp code (S19).
• A maximum of 2 services of any combination of E720, E520, E519 or E518 (additional polyps) is payable per patient per day (S19).
• Billed with the colonoscopy base code; the base colonoscopy codes already include fulguration, if performed (S19).
• No surgical assistant fee is payable (Asst nil) (S19).
• Marked '#': the fee doesn't include premises, equipment, supplies or staff, which are funded by the hospital budget or ICHSC facility costs; patients can't be charged for them (GP13).

Often billed with

• The colonoscopy base code, such as Z496, Z498 or Z555, with only one base code per patient per day (S17).
• E740 (splenic flexure), E741 (hepatic flexure), E747 (cecum) and E705 (terminal ileum) for how far the scope was passed (S18).
• E720 for each additional 3 to 5 mm polyp, to a maximum of 2 additional-polyp add-ons per day (S19).
• A035 consultation (when it is the visit where the decision to scope is made) or A034 partial assessment (when the major pre-operative visit was in the previous 12 months) for a general surgeon (SP4, A107).

Related codes: E720, Z518, Z517, Z516, Z496, Z498, Z555

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Intestines (Except Rectum), Colonoscopy, polyp excision, page S19; base codes S16-S17.

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